Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Republic of Korea (Ratification: 2007)

The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that, in 2025, it launched a comprehensive project to digitalize the national seafarer administration system. This initiative includes the development of a new seafarer’s identity document aligned with the requirements of the Convention, as amended in 2016, as well as the establishment of updated issuance procedures, and the design of an appropriate database system. The Government explains that the project is planned for completion in 2030. The Committeerequests the Government to pursue its efforts to implement the Convention without further delay and to supply a specimen of a SID compliant with the Convention as soon as it becomes available.

Article 1 of the Convention. Scope of application. In reply to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that trainee seafarers (cadets) are not recognized as employees under national law and therefore do not have the status of seafarers. The Committee notes that the provisions of the Enforcement Ordinance of the Seafarers’ Act cover trainees in relation to seafarers’ identity documents (section 3(2)). As regards the status of seafarers of cadets and trainees, the Committee refersto its comments under Article II of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended (MLC, 2006).

Article 2. Issuance of Seafarers’ Identity Documents. The Committee notes that, under section 48(2) of the Seafarers’ Act, a person prescribed by Presidential Decree as a foreigner who goes on board a ship under section 3(1) (seafarers on board Korean-flagged ships) may be issued a SID, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. Recalling that the issuance of SIDs is limited to seafarer nationals and to those who have been granted the status of permanent resident in the territory of the Member concerned, the Committee requests the Government to ensure full conformity with this provision.

Articles 3–5. Requirements of the 2016 amendments. In reply to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s explanation that section 48 of the Seafarers’ Act and Regulations 13–15 of its Enforcement Decree, provide for the content, format, and electronic storage of SIDs, including biometric and machine-readable data, in line with Articles 3–5 and Annexes I–III of the Convention. Furthermore, upon the completion of the new SID development, the Government plans to take the necessary measures, including the amendment of relevant laws and securing of the budget, to issue the SID and ensure compliance with the Convention. The Committee notes that the provisions cited by the Government refer to the previous version of the Convention, and that a number of issues are left to the prescriptions of Presidential Decrees or Ordinance of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The Committee requests the Government to take without delay the necessary measures to ensure conformity with Articles 3–5 of the Convention and with the requirements of Annexes I–III, as amended in 2016. It requests the Government to provide relevant information in this regard and to transmit copy of legislation giving effect to the amended version of the Convention.

Article 6. Facilitation of shore leave and transit, and transfer of seafarers. In reply to its previous comments and to the allegations of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), the Committee notes the Government’s explanation that the designation of vessels subject to entry restrictions and port entry bans under the Republic of Korea’s “Guideline on Permission for Foreign Seafarers’ Unauthorized Departure from Vessels to Enter/Exit Trade Ports” is intended to address concerns related to public health, public safety, public order, and national security, in line with Article 6, paragraph 5 of the Convention. The Committee takes note of this information.

Article 7. Continuous possession. In reply to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s explanation that, under section 50-2 of the Seafarers’ Act, the retention of a seafarer’s identification documents, including passports or SIDs, by a shipowner on behalf of the seafarer is strictly prohibited, regardless of any written consent. The Committee also notes that the Government is actively conducting on-site inspections to verify compliance with this provision and that violations are subject to an administrative fine of up to 2 million KRW. The Committee takes note of this information.